PHYLLOPLANE MICROFUNGAL METABOLITES AS CROP PROTECTANTS

Microfungi colonizing leaf surface are reported to influence the physiology and induce defence responses in their host plants. The present investigation relates to a study of a mixture of metabolites from different microfungi colonizing the aerial parts of a large number of tropical plants. The fungal metabolites could effectively inhibit the growth of several fungal and bacterial pathogens as well as significantly increase activity of defence enzymes and reduce disease incidence on a number of crops. The metabolite induced defence responses are expressed systematically throughout the plant even in the later emerging leaves, thereby protecting the crops for a substantial period throughout the growing season.